defamatory statement
Reputation-destroying false claim
A defamatory statement is a false claim that damages someone's reputation.
The term appears in legal contexts where truth is typically a defense—if a statement is accurate, it generally cannot be defamatory regardless of how damaging.
The newspaper retracted the defamatory statement and issued an apology.
- libelPrinted defamation
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- false accusationUntrue claim of wrongdoing
tort · court of law · burden of proof · insult · fact-checking · malice · publication · damages · cease and desist · humiliation · truthfulness · actual malice · disclaimers · public figure · plaintiff · defendant · shame · shout
defamatory statementpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · compliment · tribute · endorsement · accolade
defamatory statementfair comment
Legal defense for criticism
truth · protected speech · privileged communication · fair reporting · responsible journalism
defamatory, defame, defamed, defaming, defamer, defamation, fame, famed, famous